“The Tamar Bridge is a suspension bridge which uses well proven design principles,” he said.

“Built in 1961, it is subject to a rigorous inspection and maintenance regime in line with UK industry best practice. Our experienced engineering team maintain very strong networking relationships with owners and operators of large cable supported bridges around the world to share best practice.

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“The Tamar Bridge has reinforced concrete towers and, as a result of sound original choices in concrete aggregate and mix design and good workmanship, the tower concrete is in excellent condition and in fact has received awards for its performance and condition.

“The Tamar Bridge was strengthened and widened between 1999 and 2001 adding two additional cantilever lanes to the structure.

“By using lighter and stronger construction for the vehicle deck, the suspended structure – everything hanging from the main cables – only weighs 25 tonnes more than its original 7,900 tonnes. These works added strength and capacity to the structure but also extended its anticipated service life beyond its original 120-year design life.”

Genoa Bridge Collapse: What happened?

The collapsed Morandi Bridge is seen in the Italian port city of Genoa (Image: REUTERS)

Around 35 people - including a 10-year-old boy - died, and many more were fighting for their lives after after a 200-metre long section of an Italian motorway bridge collapsed, reported the Mirror Online on August 14 .

Devastating footage showed the viaduct on the A10 motorway in Genoa disintegrating in the catastrophe at around 11.30am that day.

Around 30 vehicles were believed to have been on the road when both carriageways fell away, and the ANSA news agency said the death toll was about 35.

Hundreds of firefighters, plus ambulance and police personnel, were on the scene of the huge structure, which broke off near the city's airport.

Italy's Deputy Prime Minister, Matteo Salvini, told reporters at the time: "Around 30 people are dead and many others are seriously injured."

He vowed that those found to be responsible would "pay", and said: "A tragedy like this in 2018 is not acceptable."

There had been heavy rain during a violent storm before the incident and Italian media reported that the bridge had been struck by lightening.